WHERE TRUE QUALITY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

Manitou, a 2008 Oyster 56 G5 Deck Saloon Cutter (Hull #61), is one of the most complete and well-invested examples of this model available on the West Coast. Currently located in San Diego, she has been exceptionally maintained by her current owner since 2021 - with over $145,000 in documented, receipted upgrades - and is ready for serious offshore passagemaking or comfortable coastal living on her new owner's terms.

Designed by Rob Humphreys and built by Windboats Marine Ltd to Lloyd's standards and EU Category A - Ocean certification, the Oyster 56 was engineered without compromise. Her high form stability hull, low center of gravity bulb keel, and skeg-hung rudder deliver a confident, predictable motion at sea. This is a boat that earns trust on long passages.

On Deck

The G5 deck saloon profile gives Manitou clean, modern lines with excellent visibility and a light-filled interior. Teak laid decks, stainless steel pulpit, pushpit and stanchions, and well-placed handholds make moving around the boat secure in any conditions. The topsides were professionally buffed and waxed in August 2024 and present beautifully.

The center cockpit is spacious and well-protected, with generous seating forward of the helm - equally suited to passagemaking watches or relaxed evenings at anchor. A teak and stainless cockpit table with insulated cooler, full Sunbrella canvas package in navy blue, cockpit cushions, and a passerelle gangplank round out a cockpit that is as comfortable in the marina as it is offshore.

Sail handling is push-button simple from the helm. Lewmar electric primary winches and controls for the Reckmann hydraulic furling headsail and hydraulic in-mast furling mainsail are all within reach of the helm. A Harken manual staysail furler completes the cutter setup, giving real versatility offshore. A Sleipner bow thruster with Sidepower pedestal controls, paired with a 160hp Yanmar diesel and Aquadrive isolation system, makes docking straightforward in any conditions.

Rig and Sails

Triple spreader cutter rig, aluminum mast, keel-stepped. In 2023, Pacific Offshore Rigging performed a comprehensive rig overhaul - the mast was pulled, the standing rigging was completely replaced with new Dyform 1x19 SS316 compact strand custom-cut for every stay, and the Reckmann headsail furler was shipped to Germany for a complete factory overhaul. New running rigging, new lifeline wire, and new LED navigation lights and masthead steaming light were installed as part of the same project. Total rigging investment: over $70,000.

North Sails delivered a new high-tech mainsail and staysail in December 2021. The sail inventory includes the furling yankee, staysail, mainsail, and asymmetrical spinnaker with pole.

Below Deck

The deck saloon interior is flooded with natural light through large windows, opening ports, and overhead hatches. American white oak joinery with Oyster's millennium styling - black inlay details, shadow-gap panel joints, custom hardware throughout - all in excellent condition. Checkerboard teak cabin sole. Alcantara upholstery in the saloon, leather berth surrounds in the forward and owner's cabins. The result is a space that feels refined without being precious - practical and durable at sea, genuinely comfortable at anchor.

The layout flows logically from bow to stern: a spacious forward double cabin with centerline berth, vanity and hanging lockers; a twin cabin to port with upper and lower berths; a shared forward head to starboard with Jabsco electric head, separate shower stall, and Hansgrohe fixtures. Up a step to the full-beam saloon - large semi-circular settee to port with oval dining table, settee and folding directors chairs to starboard, drinks locker with glass stowage, and a Bosch washer/dryer fitted beneath. The nav station sits aft of the saloon with a full-size chart table and electronics flush-mounted in Alcantara fascia.

The galley is positioned off the companionway passageway to port - Force 10 4-burner gimballed propane stove with oven, Frigomatic stainless refrigerator and separate top-loading freezer, Panasonic microwave, twin stainless sinks with Seafresh water filter, and generous stowage throughout.

The private owner's stateroom aft features an offset double berth with leather surrounds, curved settee, dressing table, large hanging locker, abundant drawer and locker storage, and an en-suite head with separate shower stall, Hansgrohe fixtures, and electric heated towel rack. Four cabins, two full heads, seven berths.

Systems

Manitou is fully equipped for extended offshore and liveaboard use:

• Propulsion: Yanmar 4HLA-HTP 160hp diesel with Aquadrive isolation system, engine cooling system rebuilt August 2022
• Generator: Westerbeke 10.4KW diesel
• Watermaker: Seafresh 204A 220V - rebuilt with new membrane, November 2025
• Battery bank: New lithium bank installed October 2025
• Inverters: Two Mastervolt sine wave inverters (2500W and 800W)
• Shore power: 50amp/220V with second 30amp connection for A/C loads
• Air conditioning: Two Cruiseair 220V reverse cycle units - 16,000 BTU each (saloon and owner's stateroom) - serviced 2022
• Thru-hulls: All bronze FullFlo ball valves replaced throughout, Closs Marine, August 2024
• Anchoring: 75lb stainless anchor with 300' chain, 40lb Delta kedge, Lewmar electric windlass
• Electronics: Raymarine i70 instruments, full RayNet network integration, complete masthead wiring - Shelter Island Marine Electronics, 2023. ICOM IC-M802 SSB radio. Iridium Sat-trans 9505A satellite phone. VHF with cockpit remote. Autopilot. (Chartplotter and radar model details to be confirmed.)
• Dinghy: Zodiac with 25hp Yamaha outboard, Simpson davits
• Safety: 8-person ISAF life raft in canister, ACR GlobalFix EPIRB, Seafire fixed fire suppression in engine compartment, Raymarine LifeTag MOB system, jackstays, MOM-8 retrieval system
• Fuel: 277 gallons | Fresh water: 251 gallons

Over $145,000 in Documented Owner Investment (2021-2025)

Since purchasing Manitou in 2021, the current owner has invested methodically and with purpose. Major items include a complete standing and running rigging replacement with Reckmann furler factory overhaul, new North Sails inventory, full Raymarine electronics overhaul and integration by Shelter Island Marine Electronics, new lithium battery bank, watermaker rebuild, engine cooling rebuild, A/C and winch service, all new thru-hull fittings, hull buff and wax, haulout, and a new Zodiac dinghy with 25hp Yamaha outboard. Receipts available upon request.

The Bottom Line

Manitou is not a project. She is a proven, heavily upgraded, turn-key bluewater cruiser at a price that reflects genuine value. From San Diego, Baja is days away, the South Pacific is weeks away, and everything in between is well within reach. The hard work has been done. She is ready when you are.

2021 survey available upon request. Co-brokerage welcome.